These are some of the top headlines in Bulgarian newspapers on May 8 2008. The Sofia Echo has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy.

Politics

- The European Commission (EC) again criticised the management of European Union funds in Bulgaria during the first visit to Brussels of the new deputy prime minister without portfolio in charge of European funds Meglena Plugchieva, Dnevnik daily said. EC sources said that Sofia was slow in making efforts to resolve the problems.

- Bulgarian Social Party (BSP), the senior party in the ruling coalition, left the real reforms in the healthcare system for the following cabinet, Dnevnik said. Despite the declared intentions to let private funds compete against the National Health Insurance Fund, the process would begin as early as 2010.

Society

- Bulgaria’s troops in Afghanistan would leave the area around capital Kabul by the summer of 2008, Sega daily said. The reason for the relocation was that Afghani authorities wanted to take full control of the city.

- Policemen would guard the graduation exams topics and the schools during the exams in 2008, according to Sega. The issue has caused a number of controversies over the past several years, but they will finally be held for the first time in 2008.

Economy

- Kremikovtzi suppliers managed what its creditors couldn't, suing the steel mill for debts worth three million leva, Dnevnik said. Even if the court decides against holding a trial, it has already ruled that bankruptcy trustees would take over the management of the mill.

- Bulgaria would not introduce the euro soon, not before 2010, Sega said. The country did not meet EC’s requirement for low inflation rate.

- Ukrainian businessman Konstantin Zhevago was the new owner of Kremikovtzi and CSKA football club, Monitor daily said. The deal was negotiated in London at the beginning of this week, but has not been finalised yet.